We've saved some of the parks (Bristol East Liberal Democrats)

Bristol East Liberal Democrats <info@bristoleastlibdems.org.uk>

We've saved some of the parks

January 30, 2008 1:20 PM

Cllr Tim Kent and Cllr Gary Hopkins, who have been challenging Labour over plans sell off millions of pounds of parks and open space.

On 10th January 2008 the Labour administration was prevented from passing a decision to sell off massive amounts of open space in Bristol. This was justified by an investment programme in our remaining parks.

It was only stopped because of the sharp eyes and persistent challenging from Lib Dem Cllr Tim Kent at Cabinet who spotted that not all the required information had been made public. The Cabinet and their advisors tried to find a way to slip it through, despite the missing information, but eventually gave into the pressure and deferred the decision.

Under the proposals that were consulted upon, and on which the Executive Member for Parks gave clear assurances, under 50 acres of land would be sold. Because of the last minute unannounced financial goal post shifting the figure was rising to nearly 200 acres.

The Bristol Parks Forum which the Liberal Democrats have been supporting, have acted throughout in a responsible and mature manner. Naturally they did not want to see any land sold off but were prepared to compromise but were then misled.

They have since 10 January 2008, with Liberal Democrat support tried to get the Labour administration to back down on their crazy plans. They have reached a compromise.

It is unfortunately typical of this administration that they blocked the sharing of information on the deal until after the deadline for public comment for the Physical Environment Scrutiny Commission which is debating the subject at 2pm on Thursday 31st January, in the Council Chamber, Council House, Bristol. Media are welcome to attend.

Cllr Gary Hopkins, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson the Environment said:

"Many of us feel 'once bitten twice shy' about the Parks Strategy. We will be very closely examining this document before it comes to cabinet on the 21st February to check that the administration are not making another set of last minute secret changes."